Line-in recording from amp

[gatoloco]

Ive been wondering if its possible to get a good overdrive guitar sound by plugging a cable straight into the line-in on a sound card from an amp. Ive tried it and it seems to come out less than good quality no matter how good the sound card is. I realize im kinda new to this but if anyone has any advice id like to know. thanks

 

[AlChuck]

Some people like that sound... but most don't. The problem is that the way a guitar sounds, and the way they have traditionally been recorded, is in large part a function of the amp driving the speakers. Guitar speakers are decidedly not hi-fi and color the sound significantly. The sound off the preamp is usually pretty characterless.

 

[xalien]

If you want to go "direct in" and not mic an amp you might want to check out an amp modeler like J-Station or Pod. They're designed for this, and while they might not sound quite as good as a well mic'd amp, they'll sound much better than what you're trying now.